THE new Mayor of Ivybridge has pledged to work to 'the best of his abilities' for the good of the town.

Cllr Dave Gray-Taylor was elected as the town's mayor during Monday's full town council meeting.

Cllr Gray-Taylor joined the town council in 2007 after ­leaving the local fire service because he wanted to remain involved with, and volunteer to help, the local community.

Since 2013 he has served as deputy mayor while also sitting on various committees and chairing the parks and personnel committees.

After being elected as mayor, Cllr Gray-Taylor said: 'I'm delighted to have been chosen by my fellow councillors to serve as the mayor of Ivybridge and I intend to work to the best of my abilities for the good of Ivybridge in the coming years.

'I have enjoyed working with the outgoing mayor, Cllr Karen Pringle, and value the insight provided during these past two years.'

Cllr Pringle said: 'I would like to thank all my fellow town councillors and district councillor for all of their support over the past two years.

'I have given my cheques for charity – I raised £1,971, which will be split between Ivybridge Third Scouts, First Scouts and Guides.'

After visiting Ivybridge for a two-week holiday in 1979 from Yorkshire, Cllr Gray-Taylor and his wife Linda decided to move to the area.

In 1983 he joined the local fire service in Ivybridge as a retained firefighter and subsequently became a firefighter at Plymouth Airport.

After redundancy from Plymouth he was able to transfer to Exeter Airport, where he still works as a station manager.

Cllr Gray-Taylor is happily married to Linda and has two daughters, Lindsay and Dawn, who were born, educated and worked in Ivybridge before ­getting married and moving away. He and Linda also have three grandchildren.

Cllr Gray-Taylor added that he had nominated the Ivybridge branch of the Royal British Legion and Devon Air Ambul-ance as his charities of the year.

The deputy mayorship was handed over to Cllr Anthony Khong.